Can-opener



C. MORGAN. GAN OPENER.

(No Model.)

No. 479,011. Patented July 19, 1892.-

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Wifgasses Maryam :ns ce., moro-umu., msnm UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES MORGAN, OF LATAI-I, WASHINGTON.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,011, dated July 19,1892.

Application tiled January 28, 1892. Serial No. 419,569. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES MORGAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Latah7 in the county of Spokane and State of Washington,haveinvented a new and useful Can- Opener, of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to improvements in can-openers.

The object of the present invention is to provide a can-opener whichwill be simple and inexpensive in construction, and which will beadapted to operate readily on various sizes of cans, and by which thetop of a can may be readily removed.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated 1n theaccompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can-openerconstructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a verticalsectional view. Fig. 3 is a reverse plan view of the adjustable base. I

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

1 designates a frame comprising a base 2, standards 3, and an upperYcasing 4, which is supported by standards and in whichis mounted avertically-reciprocating plunger 5. The plunger 5 is provided at itslower end with an enlargement or head 6, which carries a blade 7, and itis provided at its upper end with a knob 8, and it is normally heldelevated by a spiral spring 9, which is arranged within the casing. Theblade 7 tapers to a point and is driven into the top of the can bydepressing the plunger against the action of the spring, the can beingrotated to make a continuous cut. The spring elevates the plunger aftereach stroke, and the blade is provided with means for preventing thehead of the can being forced inward. The blade is provided near itspoint with an integral spring 10, which is approximately V shaped and isformed by cutting the metal of the blade and bending the cut portionoutward, as shown. After the blade has been driven bythe plunger intothe top of the can and the latter is partially cut the spring 10 on theupward stroke of the plunger will engage the severed portions of thetopof the can and lift the same out of the can. The base is verticallyadj ustable to suit different sizes of cans and is provided with acircular recess to receive the lower end of the can.

The standards are provided at their inner corners with notches 1l,adapted to be engaged by spring-actuated levers 12, arranged on thelower face of the base 2, whereby the base is detachably connected tothe standards and is adapted to be adjusted vertically to suit the sizeof a can. The levers 12 are held in engagement with the notches by aspring 13, and they are guided by a keeper 14. By this construction thetop of a can may be readily and quickly removed without liability ofcutting the operator.

Vhat I claim is- 1. In a can-opener, the combination of a frame havingstandards provided with notches, a vertically-reciprocating plungermounted in the frame and carrying a blade, an adjustable base supportedby the standards, and spring-actuated levers mounted on the lower faceof the base and arranged to engage the notches, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a can-opener, the combination of a frame having a vertical casing,a plunger mounted for vertical reciprocation in the casing, a bladesecured to the lower end of the plunger, and a spiral spring disposed onthe plunger and arranged within the casing and holding the plunger'elevated, substantially as described.

3. In a can-opener, a blade provided with a spring-lip formed byslitting the body of the blade and adapted to engage the lower face ofthe cut portion of a can to lift the same out of the can, substantiallyas described.

4. In a can-opener, the vcombination of a frame having standards, avertically-reciprocating plunger mounted in the frame and carryin g ablade, and a vertically-adj ustable base supported by the standards,substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as Vmy own I have hereto aiiiXedmy signature in Vitnesses:

F. D. ToMLrNsoN, WV. M. Tozrnn.

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